Hi there! I'm back! Can you believe it??? I'm terribly sorry it
took me so long to get this chapter out--things have been so busy
lately! I really appreciate everyone who reviewed my story! It
means so much! *weep weep* And it really pushed me into finally
getting the next part out ^.^()
Kaze ~ Thanks for the suggestion! I know what you mean, it did get
a bit confusing...I'm not planning on doing that as much in the future.
I got a lil' carried away trying to see things from everybody's view
point ^^()
Ok...now its been awhile...so lets see if I can remember this ^.~
Chapter 2
"Why is it that within the past 10 years the Lunarian army has
been mobilizing?" I asked carefully. The mood of the room was as calm
as the maroon that coated the walls, and the fire that glowed from
behind a golden gate. I didn't want to sound at all suspicious of
anything that these two celestial creatures were involved in.
"Do you mean the senshi's training?"Minako asked as she rose
a slim finger to her lower lip.
"I suppose,"I replied with a shrug. "I had just heard that
there was a bit of mounting tension between Terra and the Lunarians,
due to the armies of each respective country mobilizing and forming
alliances between the other countries."
Minako sighed softly and nodded. Artemis leaned forward and
nobly took it upon himself to defend the Venusian and Mercurian.
"The senshi have always been in existence. Not only are they
the Generals of the Lunarian Army, but they are also the personal
court and guard to the Princess Serenity. That was a duty given to
them upon the day of their births. The Senshi have been training for
the past 15 years, so that they will be able to adequately protect
their princess from anything."
"And actually," Minako continued, "the Senshi have all been
away from the moon for a while now. We've continued training on our
own."
"Our Lunarian General Jadeite began to build up the armies
after the Fimbrke Incident. Jadeite's a rascal, but it was an under-
standable decision, considering the damage the Terran's did..."
"Well I suppose with the promise of war on the horizon he
should be ready to take action," I agreed as I took a sip of my drink.
A noticeable chill seemed to drape over the room at my words. I felt
as though I may choke on the liquid that already sank in my belly as
I wondered in dread at what I had said that had offended them all.
After a moment of uncomfortable quiet Minako offered a very
controlled response, "There is no PROMISE of anything. The fact that
you are undeniably a Terran and I am a high commander of your enemy's
army and we are sitting here enjoying each other's company proves that
not all hope is lost. There is no promise..."
I took another swig of my drink, wishing for the influence of
the alcohol to make me a better conversationalist. I seemed to only
be getting worse. There was silence again and I looked over to Ami
who had not spoken much from the moment when I had first met her. She
had that look on her face, like she KNEW without a doubt that I was, at
this very moment, looking at her but she was determined to pretend like
she was entirely oblivious to the whole situation. I didn't mind,
because that made her easier to study.
In truth, the only thing that I could gather from her current
posture and expression was the fact that she was also effected by my
remarks, and I was sorely aggravated at myself for saying anything at
all. In hopes of making amends, I decided to offer another comment.
"Well I suppose it is rather reassuring that two of the
commanding officers of the Lunarian army are here at a party rather
than on the frontline with their men."
The moment it had escaped my lips I knew that it was a mistake.
In my mind I saw myself quickly herding those words back behind my
teeth were I could choke on them and slowly die in peace. Artemis gave
me a looked at me like I was a child again, caught in the act of
something terrible and humiliating.
"I am to stay here,"Ami's quiet and melancholy voice shocked
me enough to make my leg jolt a bit. I don't think she noticed. "I
will go to the Lunarian palace and act as the first guard to Princess
Serenity. I will also act as a healer to any high officials injured
in battle. Rei will be fighting the war of politics from behind her
desk. Minako heads out for the frontlines tomorrow, promptly at two.
Makoto is currently living on the outskirts of a quiet town in the
Terran region. Due to increased security and the closing of their
borders, we are having quite a time sending her any information, or
visa-versa. Her travel has also been halted. She is doing her best to
make it to the frontline." Each of her words was crisp and precise. They
fell into place and locked themselves down sharply and slowly.
I could do nothing but look at her, dumbly. I knew I needed
to say something--apologize, somehow make up for my stupidity. Yet,
even in my mind I couldn't think out any rational sentences. The
silence was deafening.
*****
It was much later that night that Artemis and I walked those
amazing halls each carrying one of his favorite warm drinks. The long
windows brought in a bluish light that made me think that the empty
hall was somehow frozen over. Artemis had been unusually quiet for
sometime now.
"Are you worried about Minako going to war?"I whispered,
raising the steaming cup to my lips. Artemis walked a little ahead of
me, and I focused my attention on his now blue hair, pretending it
to be his face.
"Not at all,"he remarked nonchalantly. "Minako is a terribly
amazing fighter--I certainly would never want to be in combat with
that little spitfire. She has many sides to her, Zoi, and I'm sorry
you could only met one of those sides tonight. She's actually quite
the leader...very serious about her work...extremely good at what she
does." I could tell his thoughts were all over the place. He was
practically pacing.
"Then why--"
"It's her first war to actually fight in though,"Artemis
remarked thoughtfully. I raised my eyebrows in surprise, and he turned
and nodded as if agreeing to something unsaid between us. "Naturally
the Lunarian kingdom is not going to trust an inexperienced eighteen
year old to take the reins and led them all into battle,"he forced a
half-hearted chuckle. "She's going to met the Outer Senshi. She'll
sort of shadow them in battle, just until she gets a better handle on
things. She'll make a fantastic general...if, provided, the war
continues long enough."
"Then you do believe we'll go to war?"I asked, almost wanting
him to clear my earlier statement of any wrongdoing. He turned away
from me to face a window.
"My boy, war is upon us."
*************
The moon princess never wielded any power. She was just known
and loved because she was beautiful and portrayed as being very kind.
In truth, the princess was so well hidden from her people that no one
could actually say they had ever seen her. Rumors floated through
the countries that she was very beautiful, wise, and soft spoken--but
then again, they could be confusing her with her mother. Oh their
Queen was once a grand woman! Although...could she really be
considered a Queen? She more a beautiful little figurine of the
Lunarian King's. Selenity would run about his kingdom, never afraid to
get her hands dirty. She was his mate, and she was a simple goddess to
the people through her charity. So naturally, when their child was born
the entire world rejoiced for the kind Queen and admirable
King.
Unfortunately, upon his death, their Queen vanished behind the
castle doors, too busy with work,ruling,and stress to come touch her
people's hearts. She was too fearful to allow her only child to take
her place as the kingdom's sweetheart, and so Serenity remained locked
behind palace doors.
True, she held her mother's beauty and among visitors from
other regions she was graceful, soft-spoken, and big-hearted.
In the young girl's early years she was perfectly content to
live her days in the glorious palace gardens; exploring and prying
into everything that went on in the kingdom. Although, after being
locked in the castle like she may break, the
princess flared up with a rebellious streak in her teens. At court
parties she laughed in her mother's face by getting outrageously
drunk. She flirted with any man who came across her path. Sometimes
she wore very revealing garments. She would frequently sneak out at
night, but would never make it very far due to Venus being put on guard\
outside her door after an episode where she had caused a terrible
crisis in Terra that only Minako's manipulative words and charming
smile could get the Lunarian kingdom out of.
The next night's upcoming party would prove to be no exception
in the princess's long line of mischief...and this time, Minako would
not be there to help.
*******
Minako shielded her eyes from the blaring sun, which turned her
hair into molten gold. The field that she peered across was covered
in a fine-grained golden dust and tuffs of sharp grass. Several men
dressed in the crisp Lunarian uniforms sprawled out amongst the dirt
and grass, lazily pulling at weeds and combing their fingers through
the soil. Upon her approach they raised droopy eyes and stiffened
considerably upon seeing her. She paid them no notice, even as several
stood to honor her arrival. Minako immediately jogged over to the
cluster of senshi who reclined under a tent in the scoop of a crater.
*Deep breaths Minako...*she reminded herself when she saw
Haruka's sword grasp a moment of sunlight and gleam like fearful
lightening. The outer senshi was a group of women, each more powerful,
more beautiful, and more wise than she. The inner senshi desperately
tried to carry herself with dignity, as she hoped no one would pick
up her discomfort and out of place feeling. *I do not belong here
among such great warriors...*one part of her argued as Haruka's
narrowed gaze turned in her direction. *Don't say that!* she hissed
back. *Don't believe that! You too are a great warrior! And you
must not show them any doubt or weakness in you!*
"Minako,"Haruka stated, making no effort to raise her voice.
The others turned over their shoulders and from their various
discussions to look upon the new party to enter their tent.
Minako had never exactly been close with any of the Outer
Senshi. However, the frosty chill that had slowly made its way up her
spine as all of their eyes met hers gave her a terrible feeling of
trepidation. Always before, there had been at least some attempt at
warmth! She had never been received with such...hatred before.
A foreign hand from behind clasped her shoulder in a familiar
manor and tore Minako quickly from her current thoughts and shock. She
whirled around to face this new presence, immediately expecting them
to be some sort of threat.
Her own features, mirrored in a male form studied her
cautiously.
"Etienne,"her eyebrows narrowed at seeing her younger brother.
His boyish good looks were tainted by the infuriating lecturing
expression which he wore.
"Calm down, sister,"he scolded, flipping his golden locks with
a toss of his head.
"Don't tell me what to do,"she hissed back stubbornly, annoyed
that her arrogant little brother could order her around.
"You're in a lot of trouble you know?"he leered, showing her
a dozen pearly teeth. Minako lifted his hand from her shoulder and
slung it towards the ground impatiently, sick of feeling like she was
being attacked by everyone on the frontline.
"What the hell are you jabbering about,"she mumbled, walking
away from him.
"A dirty mouth to match a dirty whore,"he crowed. Minako
paused with her back to him, her entire body going rigid.
"What?"
"Everyone knows about what happened with him, Minako. That
night in Deararle...."
She spun over her shoulder so quickly that Etienne thought her
body might snap in two. "What are you talking about?"she growled in
a voice that rumbled so lowly it seemed to vibrate in the air.
"Mother and father know about how he told you that he loved
you...and how you drank in those words...and how you begged for him
like a harlot--"
"SHUT UP!"she shrieked, again spinning away from her younger
brother.
"You're disgraced. After you return home mother, father, and
the entire Venusian council is going to have their way with you.
You are a disgrace to our family's good name," he continued. His
face wrinkled in disgust. "A disgrace to the senshi...you'll be
stripped of all of your duties...and promptly banished."
*********************
Alright....things will start to get a little clearer as we continue
on...this story is feeling like a loooong one...
Please forgive any spelling or grammer mistakes and reviews and
constructive criticism are welcomed and appreciated!!!! *click that
button, yo!*
took me so long to get this chapter out--things have been so busy
lately! I really appreciate everyone who reviewed my story! It
means so much! *weep weep* And it really pushed me into finally
getting the next part out ^.^()
Kaze ~ Thanks for the suggestion! I know what you mean, it did get
a bit confusing...I'm not planning on doing that as much in the future.
I got a lil' carried away trying to see things from everybody's view
point ^^()
Ok...now its been awhile...so lets see if I can remember this ^.~
Chapter 2
"Why is it that within the past 10 years the Lunarian army has
been mobilizing?" I asked carefully. The mood of the room was as calm
as the maroon that coated the walls, and the fire that glowed from
behind a golden gate. I didn't want to sound at all suspicious of
anything that these two celestial creatures were involved in.
"Do you mean the senshi's training?"Minako asked as she rose
a slim finger to her lower lip.
"I suppose,"I replied with a shrug. "I had just heard that
there was a bit of mounting tension between Terra and the Lunarians,
due to the armies of each respective country mobilizing and forming
alliances between the other countries."
Minako sighed softly and nodded. Artemis leaned forward and
nobly took it upon himself to defend the Venusian and Mercurian.
"The senshi have always been in existence. Not only are they
the Generals of the Lunarian Army, but they are also the personal
court and guard to the Princess Serenity. That was a duty given to
them upon the day of their births. The Senshi have been training for
the past 15 years, so that they will be able to adequately protect
their princess from anything."
"And actually," Minako continued, "the Senshi have all been
away from the moon for a while now. We've continued training on our
own."
"Our Lunarian General Jadeite began to build up the armies
after the Fimbrke Incident. Jadeite's a rascal, but it was an under-
standable decision, considering the damage the Terran's did..."
"Well I suppose with the promise of war on the horizon he
should be ready to take action," I agreed as I took a sip of my drink.
A noticeable chill seemed to drape over the room at my words. I felt
as though I may choke on the liquid that already sank in my belly as
I wondered in dread at what I had said that had offended them all.
After a moment of uncomfortable quiet Minako offered a very
controlled response, "There is no PROMISE of anything. The fact that
you are undeniably a Terran and I am a high commander of your enemy's
army and we are sitting here enjoying each other's company proves that
not all hope is lost. There is no promise..."
I took another swig of my drink, wishing for the influence of
the alcohol to make me a better conversationalist. I seemed to only
be getting worse. There was silence again and I looked over to Ami
who had not spoken much from the moment when I had first met her. She
had that look on her face, like she KNEW without a doubt that I was, at
this very moment, looking at her but she was determined to pretend like
she was entirely oblivious to the whole situation. I didn't mind,
because that made her easier to study.
In truth, the only thing that I could gather from her current
posture and expression was the fact that she was also effected by my
remarks, and I was sorely aggravated at myself for saying anything at
all. In hopes of making amends, I decided to offer another comment.
"Well I suppose it is rather reassuring that two of the
commanding officers of the Lunarian army are here at a party rather
than on the frontline with their men."
The moment it had escaped my lips I knew that it was a mistake.
In my mind I saw myself quickly herding those words back behind my
teeth were I could choke on them and slowly die in peace. Artemis gave
me a looked at me like I was a child again, caught in the act of
something terrible and humiliating.
"I am to stay here,"Ami's quiet and melancholy voice shocked
me enough to make my leg jolt a bit. I don't think she noticed. "I
will go to the Lunarian palace and act as the first guard to Princess
Serenity. I will also act as a healer to any high officials injured
in battle. Rei will be fighting the war of politics from behind her
desk. Minako heads out for the frontlines tomorrow, promptly at two.
Makoto is currently living on the outskirts of a quiet town in the
Terran region. Due to increased security and the closing of their
borders, we are having quite a time sending her any information, or
visa-versa. Her travel has also been halted. She is doing her best to
make it to the frontline." Each of her words was crisp and precise. They
fell into place and locked themselves down sharply and slowly.
I could do nothing but look at her, dumbly. I knew I needed
to say something--apologize, somehow make up for my stupidity. Yet,
even in my mind I couldn't think out any rational sentences. The
silence was deafening.
*****
It was much later that night that Artemis and I walked those
amazing halls each carrying one of his favorite warm drinks. The long
windows brought in a bluish light that made me think that the empty
hall was somehow frozen over. Artemis had been unusually quiet for
sometime now.
"Are you worried about Minako going to war?"I whispered,
raising the steaming cup to my lips. Artemis walked a little ahead of
me, and I focused my attention on his now blue hair, pretending it
to be his face.
"Not at all,"he remarked nonchalantly. "Minako is a terribly
amazing fighter--I certainly would never want to be in combat with
that little spitfire. She has many sides to her, Zoi, and I'm sorry
you could only met one of those sides tonight. She's actually quite
the leader...very serious about her work...extremely good at what she
does." I could tell his thoughts were all over the place. He was
practically pacing.
"Then why--"
"It's her first war to actually fight in though,"Artemis
remarked thoughtfully. I raised my eyebrows in surprise, and he turned
and nodded as if agreeing to something unsaid between us. "Naturally
the Lunarian kingdom is not going to trust an inexperienced eighteen
year old to take the reins and led them all into battle,"he forced a
half-hearted chuckle. "She's going to met the Outer Senshi. She'll
sort of shadow them in battle, just until she gets a better handle on
things. She'll make a fantastic general...if, provided, the war
continues long enough."
"Then you do believe we'll go to war?"I asked, almost wanting
him to clear my earlier statement of any wrongdoing. He turned away
from me to face a window.
"My boy, war is upon us."
*************
The moon princess never wielded any power. She was just known
and loved because she was beautiful and portrayed as being very kind.
In truth, the princess was so well hidden from her people that no one
could actually say they had ever seen her. Rumors floated through
the countries that she was very beautiful, wise, and soft spoken--but
then again, they could be confusing her with her mother. Oh their
Queen was once a grand woman! Although...could she really be
considered a Queen? She more a beautiful little figurine of the
Lunarian King's. Selenity would run about his kingdom, never afraid to
get her hands dirty. She was his mate, and she was a simple goddess to
the people through her charity. So naturally, when their child was born
the entire world rejoiced for the kind Queen and admirable
King.
Unfortunately, upon his death, their Queen vanished behind the
castle doors, too busy with work,ruling,and stress to come touch her
people's hearts. She was too fearful to allow her only child to take
her place as the kingdom's sweetheart, and so Serenity remained locked
behind palace doors.
True, she held her mother's beauty and among visitors from
other regions she was graceful, soft-spoken, and big-hearted.
In the young girl's early years she was perfectly content to
live her days in the glorious palace gardens; exploring and prying
into everything that went on in the kingdom. Although, after being
locked in the castle like she may break, the
princess flared up with a rebellious streak in her teens. At court
parties she laughed in her mother's face by getting outrageously
drunk. She flirted with any man who came across her path. Sometimes
she wore very revealing garments. She would frequently sneak out at
night, but would never make it very far due to Venus being put on guard\
outside her door after an episode where she had caused a terrible
crisis in Terra that only Minako's manipulative words and charming
smile could get the Lunarian kingdom out of.
The next night's upcoming party would prove to be no exception
in the princess's long line of mischief...and this time, Minako would
not be there to help.
*******
Minako shielded her eyes from the blaring sun, which turned her
hair into molten gold. The field that she peered across was covered
in a fine-grained golden dust and tuffs of sharp grass. Several men
dressed in the crisp Lunarian uniforms sprawled out amongst the dirt
and grass, lazily pulling at weeds and combing their fingers through
the soil. Upon her approach they raised droopy eyes and stiffened
considerably upon seeing her. She paid them no notice, even as several
stood to honor her arrival. Minako immediately jogged over to the
cluster of senshi who reclined under a tent in the scoop of a crater.
*Deep breaths Minako...*she reminded herself when she saw
Haruka's sword grasp a moment of sunlight and gleam like fearful
lightening. The outer senshi was a group of women, each more powerful,
more beautiful, and more wise than she. The inner senshi desperately
tried to carry herself with dignity, as she hoped no one would pick
up her discomfort and out of place feeling. *I do not belong here
among such great warriors...*one part of her argued as Haruka's
narrowed gaze turned in her direction. *Don't say that!* she hissed
back. *Don't believe that! You too are a great warrior! And you
must not show them any doubt or weakness in you!*
"Minako,"Haruka stated, making no effort to raise her voice.
The others turned over their shoulders and from their various
discussions to look upon the new party to enter their tent.
Minako had never exactly been close with any of the Outer
Senshi. However, the frosty chill that had slowly made its way up her
spine as all of their eyes met hers gave her a terrible feeling of
trepidation. Always before, there had been at least some attempt at
warmth! She had never been received with such...hatred before.
A foreign hand from behind clasped her shoulder in a familiar
manor and tore Minako quickly from her current thoughts and shock. She
whirled around to face this new presence, immediately expecting them
to be some sort of threat.
Her own features, mirrored in a male form studied her
cautiously.
"Etienne,"her eyebrows narrowed at seeing her younger brother.
His boyish good looks were tainted by the infuriating lecturing
expression which he wore.
"Calm down, sister,"he scolded, flipping his golden locks with
a toss of his head.
"Don't tell me what to do,"she hissed back stubbornly, annoyed
that her arrogant little brother could order her around.
"You're in a lot of trouble you know?"he leered, showing her
a dozen pearly teeth. Minako lifted his hand from her shoulder and
slung it towards the ground impatiently, sick of feeling like she was
being attacked by everyone on the frontline.
"What the hell are you jabbering about,"she mumbled, walking
away from him.
"A dirty mouth to match a dirty whore,"he crowed. Minako
paused with her back to him, her entire body going rigid.
"What?"
"Everyone knows about what happened with him, Minako. That
night in Deararle...."
She spun over her shoulder so quickly that Etienne thought her
body might snap in two. "What are you talking about?"she growled in
a voice that rumbled so lowly it seemed to vibrate in the air.
"Mother and father know about how he told you that he loved
you...and how you drank in those words...and how you begged for him
like a harlot--"
"SHUT UP!"she shrieked, again spinning away from her younger
brother.
"You're disgraced. After you return home mother, father, and
the entire Venusian council is going to have their way with you.
You are a disgrace to our family's good name," he continued. His
face wrinkled in disgust. "A disgrace to the senshi...you'll be
stripped of all of your duties...and promptly banished."
*********************
Alright....things will start to get a little clearer as we continue
on...this story is feeling like a loooong one...
Please forgive any spelling or grammer mistakes and reviews and
constructive criticism are welcomed and appreciated!!!! *click that
button, yo!*